Collection Overview

The glass negatives feature Purdue University and time spent in France during World War I. They also feature a mansion, lake-house, and images of family life. Due to lack of documentation, no individuals or buildings are currently identified in the negatives. All negatives have been removed from boxes and housed in acid-free paper sleeves. The negatives are organized into four subseries. The original order of each box is retained in each subseries. Each subseries number corresponds to the box number from which the negatives originated.

2. Negative Boxes, circa 1890s-1920s, (0.1 cubic feet)

The Negative boxes document photographic developing technology companies in the United States and France. Each box features printed information about the photography company as well as typography styles of the period. The original order of the boxes is retained.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Robert Wray glass negatives (1890s-1920s; 0.2 cubic feet) documents life during the World War I era. The glass negatives feature Purdue University and time spent in France during World War I. It also features a mansion, lake-house, and images of family life. Due to lack of documentation, no individuals or buildings are currently identified in the negatives. Types of materials include: 63 glass negatives and four cardboard boxes for holding negatives. The Negatives are organized into two formal series.

Biographical Note

Robert Wray, originally from Shelbyville, IN, graduated from Purdue University in 1922 with his Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Chemical Engineering Society, Purdue Union, PAA, YMCA, and Yellow Dog.